Feb. 9, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
For more information on Big Ten women's basketball, visit the blog at http://www.bigten.org/blog/womens-basketball/ and follow us on Twitter @BigTenConf and @BigTenVal.
GET TO KNOW HER
Brittany McCoy, Minnesota
Minnesota’s Brittany McCoy is the type of person that finishes what she starts. An excellent student with a 3.89 cumulative GPA as a speech-language-hearing science major, she is diligent at completing her studies ahead of time, so, as she puts it, “You don’t have to get all stressed out about it at the last second.” She is also a diligent worker on the basketball court, having started every game of her high school and college basketball careers. Ranked third on the Gophers’ all-time list in assists and one of the best defenders in school history, Brittany is on pace to break the Minnesota career games started record during the Big Ten Tournament.
The Amazing Race
Ohio State maintained its three-game lead in the conference standings with an 86-73, come-from-behind win at Penn State on Sunday. Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin all entered the weekend’s games in a tie for third, but the Lady Lions’ loss, coupled with the Boilermakers’ last-second win over the Badgers, gave Purdue sole possession of second in the conference race with an 8-5 record. Penn State and Wisconsin now sit in a tie for third with matching 7-6 marks, followed by Indiana and Michigan State in a tie for fifth with even 6-6 records.
On The Verge
Ohio State could clinch a share of its sixth consecutive Big Ten title with a win over Purdue on Thursday. A win would put the Buckeyes four games up with four left to play on the conference schedule. Ohio State would become the first team in Big Ten history to take home six consecutive conference crowns.
Big Ten Celebrates Black History Month
Throughout the month of February, the Big Ten will commemorate the achievements of African-Americans on Big Ten campuses with feature stories on its Black History Month website. Among the former student-athletes to be recognized are seven women’s basketball players. On Thursday, the Big Ten will honor former Purdue standout Camille Cooper Ozumba. Once an intimidating presence on the basketball court, she is just as intimidating in the courtroom, now working as an attorney in Dallas.
Big Ten Report Card
In the latest NCAA RPI report, issued Monday, the Big Ten was the only conference in the country to place each of its teams within the report’s top 90. The conference is led by No. 10 Ohio State, No. 19 Michigan State, No. 31 Wisconsin and No. 36 Michigan. Indiana improved seven sports from last week to No. 52, while Iowa jumped 15 places to No. 57. Purdue had the conference’s biggest leap, up 26 spots to No. 61, and Northwestern moved six places to No. 74.
A Year to Remember
For the first time in conference history, every Big Ten team will finish the season with at least 11 overall wins. For just the second time, every squad will finish with at least four victories in Big Ten play. Northwestern has already doubled its win total from a season ago, currently with 14 victories, which ranks as the program’s highest total since the 1996-97 season.
Send in the Swat Team
Michigan State’s Allyssa DeHaan is just one block away from tying the NCAA’s career record of 480, set by TCU’s Sandora Irvin, who concluded her career in 2005. With 479 to her name, DeHaan has one more block than another active player, Louella Tomlinson of St. Mary’s. DeHaan will have the opportunity to break the record first, playing at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, while Tomlinson plays that evening at 10 p.m. ET.
Double Trouble
Illinois’ Jenna Smith and Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender are two of just six players in the nation to rank in the NCAA’s top 50 in scoring and top 20 in rebounding. Smith is eighth on the boards, averaging 11.2 per contest, and 50th in scoring, averaging 17.8 points per night. Lavender is 11th in points (20.8) and 20th on the glass (10.3). Smith and Lavender have each tallied 14 double-doubles this season, which ties them for third in the NCAA.
Still Streaking
Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender continues to claim the longest double-digit scoring streak in the nation. The junior tallied 18 points against Penn State on Sunday, increasing her streak to 92 games, which spans the entire length of her career. Penn State’s Tyra Grant boasts the second-longest active streak in the conference, having posted double-digits in her last 35 straight games, dating back to last season, most recently with a 22-point performance against the Buckeyes on Sunday.
Packing The House
The Big Ten once again boasts tremendous fan support in 2009-10, currently with eight teams in the top 50, including five in the top 20, in average national home attendance. Purdue leads the conference and is fourth in the country, averaging 9,011 fans per contest. The Boilermakers are followed by Michigan State (11th, 5,814), Wisconsin (15th, 5,174), Penn State (16th, 5,139) and Minnesota (20th, 4,271).
Neighborhood Watch Program
Six Big Ten players earned spots on the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List. Illinois’ Jenna Smith, Michigan State’s Allyssa DeHaan, Northwestern’s Amy Jaeschke, Ohio State’s Samantha Prahalis and Jantel Lavender and Penn State’s Tyra Grant are in contention for the trophy, which is presented annually to college basketball’s Player of the Year.
Wooden is Watching
The Big Ten placed five players on the 2009-10 John R. Wooden Award Women’s Preseason Top 30 List, leading all conferences. Preseason candidates from the Big Ten included Illinois senior Jenna Smith, Michigan State senior Allyssa DeHaan, Ohio State junior Jantel Lavender and sophomore Samantha Prahalis and Penn State senior Tyra Grant. OSU was one of just four schools with multiple players on the list, and Prahalis was the only sophomore to make the cut. DeHaan and Lavender both earned spots on the Midseason Top 20 List, released on Jan. 13.
Wade For Me
Illinois’ Jenna Smith, Michigan State’s Allyssa DeHaan and Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender and Samantha Prahalis were also on the 25-player 2009-10 preseason “Wade Watch” list for the State Farm Wade Trophy Division I Player of the Year. With four selections, the Big Ten is tied with the ACC, Big East and Pac-10 for tops among all conferences. The Buckeyes are one of three schools with multiple players on the list, and Prahalis is one of just two sophomores to be named.
Stay Classy
Penn State’s Tyra Grant is one of 10 finalists for the 2009-10 Lowes Senior CLASS Award. Student-athletes eligible for the award must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - classroom, character, community and competition.
Set Your TiVo
Big Ten women’s basketball is experiencing vast national television coverage, with nearly 90 percent of home games set to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, www.BigTenNetwork.com, ESPN2 or CBS Sports this season. In addition to its linear network package, www.BigTenNetwork.com will stream additional games that will be produced in HD-quality.
March Is On!
Big Ten women’s basketball will once again return to the city of Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse for the 2010 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament. The 2010 event marks the third of a five-year agreement that places both the men’s and women’s tournaments in the Circle City. This year’s tournament will be the ninth consecutive and 15th overall in Indianapolis and will be held on four consecutive days beginning Thursday, March 4. The championship game will be played Sunday, March 7.
Deep in the Heart of Texas
Big Ten women’s basketball has its sights set on San Antonio, Texas, during the 2009-10 season as the 2010 NCAA Women’s Final Four will be held April 4 and 6 at the Alamodome. The conference has sent five teams to the past 11 Final Fours, including two in the last six seasons. The 2010 championship event will be hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio.
